Overcoming MS with Strength, Support, and Sturdy Care
Krystal Mac-Chong is deeply grateful to Sturdy Health for the combination of expert care and the friendly, supportive atmosphere provided by the doctors and nurses who have been with her throughout her journey. Over the past 17 years, she has undergone an incredible transformation following her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), navigating many challenges with the help of dedicated caregivers.
In 2007, Krystal had a passion for walking, climbing, and hiking and was an avid climber of Mount Monadnock. One day, while hiking the trail with her husband, she felt unusually exhausted, frustrated, and thirsty but dismissed it as simply having an “off day.”
Later that same year, Krystal experienced a severe bout of food poisoning, causing her to lose four pounds in just two days. What she initially thought would be a routine trip to the hospital turned into an unexpected, life-altering diagnosis. Initially diagnosed with hypermyalgia, a condition causing muscle pain, Krystal was later diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS), the most common form of MS, which is characterized by symptom flare-ups followed by periods of recovery.
The Journey Through Multiple Sclerosis
Shortly after her RRMS diagnosis, Krystal suffered a severe relapse that left her temporarily confined to a wheelchair. The sudden loss of mobility was devastating, bringing fear, frustration, and even thoughts of self-harm. The heartbreak deepened when she was told that her dream of conceiving children might never come true.
In 2008, Krystal’s condition worsened with a secondary diagnosis of Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS), a rarer form of MS marked by gradual worsening symptoms and increasing disability. This brought additional challenges, including seizures, speech difficulties, and extreme fatigue, making daily life and employment difficult.
Strength, Support, and a New Beginning
Remarkably, she has regained the ability to stand and walk—which once seemed impossible. Incredibly, with the help of her care team, she was able to fulfill her dream of motherhood, which she once feared had been lost.
Reflecting on her journey, Krystal acknowledges the challenges and the deceptive nature of MS, which can give a false sense of security during remission periods. Krystal expresses deep gratitude for the treatment and encouragement she received from the medical experts at Sturdy Health.”
Krystal found strength and solace in the specialized and interdisciplinary approach to managing her condition, working closely with her Sturdy Health primary care provider, Dr. Debowy, in partnership with Drs. Dhillon and Singal of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Sturdy Memorial Hospital. Krystal also credits her deep faith in God, believing that He guided her through the most difficult times.
Now, Krystal lives in Attleboro with her husband, Kerwin Chong, and their beautiful ten-year-old daughter, Juleigh. Krystal's advice to fellow MS patients and others facing health challenges is simple, yet profound: Speak out, express your feelings, and don’t let speech difficulties hold you back. Her story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and the partnership of a collaborative team of caregivers in overcoming adversity.
The MS Center, located within Sturdy Memorial Hospital, was established in 1995 to provide individualized, specialized, and coordinated care and services to people with MS. In 2023, the National MS Society recognized it as a Comprehensive MS Care Center and Partner in MS Care, a prestigious designation awarded to only a handful of healthcare providers each year.
To learn more about the MS Center at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, visit here.
To learn more about giving to the MS Fund at Sturdy Health, visit here.
